Maritime project expertise in demand

Ferm is developing considerable expertise with ports and maritime facilities, working on a range of projects.

The company is preparing a fire risk study for TechnipFMC, a global oil and gas company that services the energy industry. TechnipFMC operates a service ship that is decommissioning offshore gas fields on the North-West Shelf, off Western Australia.

Ferm’s work includes preparing fire safety guidelines for safely removing gas pipelines, including augmenting the ship’s fire detection and suppression systems.

Other maritime projects include:

• An upgrade of fire facilities for the Pinkenbah Wharf in Brisbane with contractor CV Services. The wharf was converted from a grain-only terminal to a multi-use terminal, including petroleum, which required high-hazard fire detection and suppression designs.
• At Graincorp’s Port of Brisbane terminal, Ferm has redesigned the fire panels and upgraded detection for grain handling equipment at its silos. The project will be ongoing over two years with future stages including fire safety upgrades of the wharfs and a grain-storage warehouse, including conveyors and materials handling equipment.
• A Graincorp project at the Port of Gladstone involved replacing the hydrant system and installing new pumps at the wharf and silos for portside grain storage. The system is in final commissioning for handover to the client.
• Ferm is about to start work on a project at the Bundaberg Port for Altus Renewables, which transports, processes and stores wood pellet biomass fuel for export. The wood pellets are used by large-scale power generators to produce a reliable source of renewable energy that can displace coal.

The broad range of projects highlight Ferm’s expertise in ensuring fire safety for marine projects.